Natural Immunity

One important element that has not been discussed is what the individual can do to increase their own immunity. Although even with good medical care Bird Flu has a rather high rate of mortality this does not mean that each of us is equally likely to be infected in the first place.

The Spanish flu of 1918 is considered to be the most devastation pandemic in recorded history. It is estimated that it infected about 50% of the world’s population and 40-50 million died. However those who died were only 5% of those infected and 2.5% of the total population.

So what were the factors that allowed 50% of the population to remain uninfected by Spanish Flu in the days before flu vaccines were available and is there anything we can do for ourselves to reduce the severity of illness should we become infected. 

The Ayurvedic Approach

The Ayurvedic approach to immunity is based on the beej-bhumi (seed-land) theory. When the land is fertile all the seeds geminate and grow strongly and when it is infertile few seeds germinate and those that do grow weakly. In this analogy the body is the land, viruses the seeds and fertility is ama -  toxins produced as a result of weak digestion.

When the body contains ama it is a more or less fertile ground for infection.  Conversely ojas, the product of a healthy digestion, is the basis of coherent functioning of the mind and body and this in turn is a basis of resistance to infection.

Ayurveda provides the knowledge and techniques for minimising ama and maximising ojas and Maharishi Vedic Science (Links to related sites) provides the complete range of Vedic technologies for the perfect health and immunity of the individual, family and society as a whole.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s main cleansing and rejuvenating tool. It is a series of gentle massage, steam and intestinal cleansing treatments that remove ama from deep within the tissues and strengthen the digestive fire so that ama does not get formed in future.

Panchakarma treatments should be performed under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician. But if you can't go to a Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre you can still follow an Ayurvedic regimen at home to cleanse the body of ama.

Diet

If you feel less hungry at mealtimes than usual, or if you feel heavy and dull in the two hours immediately after a meal, these are indications that your digestive fire is burning low and ama is accumulating. 

Follow the Ayurvedic Dietary Guidelines as much as possible.

Stimulate the physiology through moderate exercise and spicy, bitter and astringent foods.

Cook your food with immune-enhancing spices such as cumin, fennel, coriander, turmeric, ginger and black pepper. This enhances agni (the digestive fire) and reduce ama.

You can also take one tablet of the Maharishi Ayurveda herbal supplements Herbal Digest (mild) or Digest Plus (stronger) with each meal to enhance digestion.

Take two to three tablets of Herbal Cleanse at night to support regular elimination if necessary.

Herbal/Mineral Supplements

Winter is actually a good time to enhance the immune system, and support and nurture your body. This is the most effective time to take Maharishi Amrit Kalash to build overall vitality and strengthen the immune system. The Nectar paste (MA4) supports all aspects of digestion – the thirteen different agnis that are responsible for the whole digestion, absorption and metabolism.

The Maharishi Ayurveda supplement most targeted towards supporting resistance to viral infection is Meda Tablets (MA631) also known as Rasayana for Men. It is a renowned rasayana containing 33 herbs and minerals. The main ingredient is the mysterious substance called shilajit which is obtained from between rocks in mountainous areas but is basically of plant origin. The Ayurvedic texts sing the praises of the immuno-supportive effects of shilajit for both men and women, young and old. However it takes more than 3 months of careful preparation in the traditional ways that make it most effective.  

For actual treatment of fever the Maharishi Ayurveda Council of Vaidyas recommends that the very best product is MA630. This product can only be obtained direct from MAPL in India. Ask for contact details.

Additional Herbal Support

Cold Season Defence (MA1404) offers nutritional support to the body's natural immunity. It helps regulate fluid balance and mucus in the lungs and sinuses; remove toxins and shleshma from the lungs, and cleanses the micro-circulatory channels that have been blocked by ama. It supports immunity and removes toxins that weaken resistance.

You can also drink a warm, immune-enhancing tea such as Sniffle Free Tea, twice a day with your meal or after it. The herbs in this thermogenic tea will help balance Kapha immediately.

If your head is feeling heavy or congested, you can also use Breathe Easy Aroma Oil to help create balance and clear the sinuses.

Breathe Easy tablets and Cold Season Defence tablets are immune-enhancing herbal supplements that you can take during the winter season to forestall respiratory problems.

Breathe Easy tablets are aimed more at supporting the upper respiratory system, and the body's natural resistance to the cold. Breathe Easy helps clear the channels, and when that happens, shleshma can be drained from the body. It strengthens the digestive fire, balances the production of moisture and mucus, supports resistance to cold temperatures, and enhances the bioavailability and circulation of vital nutrients.

Lifestyle Tips for Boosting Immunity

A warm bath each day is very necessary to warm the body, open the pores, and regulate your body's internal thermostat. This is important in both Vata and Kapha season.

Don't forget to do your daily Ayurvedic massage before your bath. Daily massage is very important for opening the channels, stimulating the digestion, removing toxins from the body, and pacifying the doshas. It is especially soothing to Vata dosha, which is seated in the skin. All of these factors make massage a vital therapy in strengthening immunity and preventing respiratory problems. (It's important to note that massage is NOT recommended if you already have a cough or other respiratory imbalance, because it can push the ama deeper into the system. Also refrain from a full-body massage during menstrual flow.)

The Vata, Pitta and Kapha Massage Oils are prepared with herbs so that the oil soluble ingredients are absorbed into the skin with the oil and help balance the named dosha.

Adequate sleep is especially important in Vata season, as it counteracts the lively, moving Vata. It is also essential for anyone in any season who wants to enhance immunity and resist disease.

Take Blissful Sleep Basic so support refreshing sleep.

If you have trouble falling asleep (a Vata imbalance) also take Blissful Sleep Vata;

If you wake frequently, especially between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. with energy (a Pitta imbalance) also take Blissful Sleep Pitta;

If you sleep eight hours through the night but still feel exhausted when you wake up (a Kapha imbalance) also take Blissful Sleep Kapha.

Exercise is another important aspect of the Ayurvedic routine, because it helps enhance agni and burns away toxins. It's important to choose the right exercise for your body type and for the season, though. Daily walks and yoga postures are good for balancing all the doshas and especially suit Vata types, while more vigorous daily exercise is required by Kapha types to stay healthy. Exercise is especially important during Kapha season, because it helps to boost agni and your immunity when toxins are flooding the body.